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Oct 25, 2018

Trump signs new sanctions against Hezbollah

Trump signs Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act,
which ramps sanctions against Lebanon-based terror group.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed new sanctions targeting the
Hezbollah terrorist group which is considered a terrorist organization
by the United States, CNN reported.

"Over the past year we have levied the highest sanctions ever imposed on
Hezbollah -- in a single year, by far. Just a few moments ago, I signed
legislation imposing even more hard-hitting sanctions on Hezbollah to
further starve them of their funds. And they are starving for them,"
Trump said during an event marking the 35th anniversary of the attack on
US Marine barracks in Beirut.

The legislation, known as the Hezbollah International Financing
Prevention Amendments Act, was sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). The
bill ramps up reporting requirements and places further financial and
economic sanctions on the group.

"We will target, disrupt and dismantle their operational and financing
efforts, of which they have plenty ... and we will never forget what
they did to our Marines in Beirut," said Trump.

The President criticized Iran before announcing new sanctions on the
group, saying "Iran was instrumental in founding Hezbollah" and remains
"its main patron today."

"We are doing a big number on Iran today, in case you haven't noticed.
I'll tell you what, they're not the same country they were when I first
took office," added Trump, who pointed out that that Iranians are now
"rioting in their streets."

"Their money's collapsed. Their lives are a lot different, and they're
not looking so much for the Mediterranean. ... Now they want to survive.
It's a whole different deal," he said, calling the 2015 Iran nuclear
deal from which he withdrew last May the "Iran nuclear disaster."

The United States has in the past imposed several rounds of sanctions on
Hezbollah and officials affiliated with the terror group.

Just last week, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions designated five
groups, including Hezbollah, as transnational criminal organizations to
target with tougher investigations and prosecutions.

Earlier this year, the Treasury sanctioned one of the financiers of
Hezbollah and its representative to Iran, as well as five entities based
in Europe.

The sanctions came a day after the US and its Gulf partners imposed
sanctions on the leadership of Hezbollah, including its
Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy Naim Qassem.

Last October, Washington offered multimillion-dollar rewards for two
Hezbollah officials as the Trump administration developed its strategy
for countering Iran’s growing regional influence.

In February, the United States levied sanctions against six individuals
and seven businesses with alleged links to Hezbollah financier Adham
Tabaja, a Lebanese businessman who is believed by to be one of
Hezbollah's top five money men.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that the
sanctions approved Thursday "will further isolate Hezbollah from the
international financial system and reduce its funding."

"These sanctions will target foreign persons and government agencies
that knowingly assist or support Hezbollah, and Hezbollah -affiliated
networks that engage in drug trafficking or other transnational crime,"
she added.